Flexible shaft machine attachment



Aug. 9, 1932. J. F; KELLER FLEXIBLE SHAFT MACHINE ATTACHMENT Filed oct. 12, 1929 Patented Aug. 9, 1932 UNITED ST'TE.

ra'rlnurA ol-Flcs JOSEPH F. KELLER, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, B MESNE ASSICvrNIVlENTS,` T0 PRATT & WHITNEY COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION 0F NEW j JERSEY FLEXIBLE SHAFT MACHINE ATTACHMENT Application filed October 12, 1929. Serial No. 399,378.

This invention relates more particularly to an improvement for a flexible shaft mathe trade are provided with a supporting stand upon which a bracket is pivotally mounted, carrying the motor and connections therefrom for driving the flexible shaft, the latter extending outwardly from the pivoted bracket, substantially at right angles to the pivot thereof. rlhe motor and driving connections therefrom to the flexible shaft are usually arranged with reference to the pivotal support so as to substantially balance with the flexible shaft extending outward from the pivotal bracket.

In order to impro-ve the flexible shaft machine shown herewith, however, and particularly with large machines, it is desirable to facilitate operation thereof by locating the switch at a distance from the motor and in a more convenient position in relation to the flexible shaft, so as to bring it within easy reach of the operator handling the grinding wheel or other device at the end of the flexible shaft, and with the larger type of machines the flexible shaft is heavy so that an auxiliary support therefor will assist the operator. In cooperation with the switch arm and as a part of this additional equipment to the flexible shaft machine, there is provided a counterweight extending in the opposite direction to balance the switch arm and flexible shaft support.

The object of the present improvement, therefore, is to provide the flexible shaft machine of the type referred to with an arm for partially supporting the flexible shaft and a switch connected with the motor for controlling the same, and as part of the equipment, providing a counterweight to extend in the opposite direction from the switch arm for counterbalancing the latter.

The present improvement is more particularly shown inthe accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 represents a well known type of flexible shaft machine equipped with the improvement, and Fig. 2 is an end View of the bracket at the end of the switch arm for supporting the flexible shaft. I v

Referring to the drawing, a flexible shaft machine of suitable construction is supportedupon'a. base or stand provided with an upright pillar A which, in the present in stance, carries a fork B, in which the supporting bracket C is pivoted at D. The

bracket C is arranged toV support the motor ably formed of steel tubing- 'and supportedr from the upper portion of the pivoted bracket C by being inserted into a socket at L, where it is secured lby a set screw M. The lead wires N fromthe line to the motor are adapted to pass through the tube K to an electric switch O mounted on a casting P at the` outer end of the tubular arm K, substantially as shown in Fig. 1. The casting is preferably provided with a downwardly extending member in the form of a ring vQ, through which the flexible shaft H extends, so that it may be partially supported and prevented from making too sharp a bend near the drive end.

W hen the switch arm K is mounted on the supporting bracket C, it is found desirable to provide a counterbalance therefor, and for this purpose, an arm or rod R is preferably mounted ina boss or lug S, or other loo suitable projection extending from the bracket C, and is secured therein by a set screw T. In the present instance there is mounted upon the rod R, an adjustable counterweight 5 U, provided With a thumb screw V, for securing the counterweight in any adjusted position.

The operation of the improvement is simple, the switch supporting arm K is mounted in the socket Lyon one side of the bracket pivot D and the counterweight U and rod R are attached on the opposite side for counterbalancing the switch arm K, as indicated in Fig. 1. The advantageV of placing the switch at the end of the rod K will be evident, When it is realized that the operator is usually holding the outer end of the flexible shaft, which contains the usual hand' piece for the grinding Wheel or other tool being operated, and,` therefore, by placing the switch on the end of the arm K, it is in more convenient reach for the operator in starting and stopping the motor. In addition to serving as a switch arm, since the flexible tube and its armor are relatively-heavy, it is found-desirable to Y partially support the latter from Ythe arm K-by means of the ring 3Q,thus further assisting and makingit more convenient for the operator in handling the hand vpiece at theend of the flexible shaft.

fln providing this improved attachment to the flexible shaft machine, it Will be understood that it isv not intended "to" limit the construction to that specifically-shown and described, for obvious1y,various modifications therein may be made4 Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I'claim:-'- l l An attachment for flexible shaft bench 0 grinders wherein a supporting stand is provided With a bracket pivotally mounted thereon and adapted for pivotally supporting thel motor and its driving connections to the flexible shaft, comprising a tubular arm extending-'outward from Vsaid bracket above and in the direction of the flexible shaft, means for detachably securing the f tubular arm to the bracket, a bracket provided With a depending` ring at the outer end of said tubular arm, said lring being adapted to supportthe flexible shaft and permit lateral and up and down movement l thereof, an electric switch mounted on said tubular arm bracket above the ring, Wiring connectionsV extending `from said switch through the tubular arm to the motor for controlling the same, a counterweight arm Y adapted to extend from said motor supporting bracket in the opposite direction from said tubular switch arm, means for removably attaching the 'last named arm to the bracket and an adjustable Weight on said countervveight arm for counterbalancing the tubular switch arm.

t5 JosnPH F. KELLER. 

